Sigma Designs Powers LEA's New NetPlayer HD

Tuesday, October 16th, 2012
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New STB Offering Is First OTT Thin Client Embedding Sigma’s SoC and HomePlug AV PLC With ClearPath Technology

MILPITAS, CA — Sigma Designs® (NASDAQ: SIGM), a leading provider of System-on-Chip (SoC) solutions for home entertainment, connectivity and control, announced their partnership with LEA®, a leader in broadband and home networking solutions. LEA’s new NetPlayer HD® is powered by Sigma Designs’ SMP8671 secure media processor and CG2210 chipset HomePlug® AV modem with ClearPath™ technology. The collaboration provides the first-to-market Over-The-Top (OTT) Thin Client Set Top Box (STB) embedded with HomePlug AV PLC with ClearPath technology, ensuring Plug and Play installation and unmatched data transfer quality.

Ideal for home AV networking, Sigma’s CG2210 chipset allows the NetPlayer HD to stream OTT and VOD (Video on Demand) content and entertainment over the power line at a PHY layer rate of up to 200 Mbps. The ClearPath technology enables usage of all three wires in a power line network to achieve extended coverage, higher robustness and higher throughputs for true HD quality. The SMP8671 is optimized for a premium user experience by supporting a wide variety of audio, video, OTT and content security. Consumers will be able to connect their main or secondary TV to streaming content such as Netflix, YouTube, social networking sites, and many other online services.

In addition, the NetPlayer HD is the first STB with the option to integrate Z-Wave® for personalized home automation. Sigma Designs’ Z-Wave technology can be enabled through a Z-Wave pairing button on the back panel of the device. If enabled, this allows consumers to remotely control home devices such as lighting, thermostats and security systems through any wireless or mobile device using the Netplayer HD as the gateway to the home.

“We are thrilled to partner with LEA on their deployment of the NetPlayer HD incorporating Sigma’s SMP8671 SoC, CG2210 HomePlug AV with ClearPath, and Z-Wave home control technology,” said Sal Cobar, vice president of worldwide sales and marketing at Sigma Designs. “Sigma is a one-stop-shop for the best-in-breed in connected home solutions. The result is a first-class product built with outstanding technologies.”

“We view Sigma Designs as a valued and strategic partner,” said Patrice Fryson, CEO of LEA. “Together, we provide exceptional products in the broadband and home networking market.”

A demonstration of the LEA NetPlayer HD can be viewed at Broadband World Forum, October 16th to the 18th Booth F57, Hall 7 in Amsterdam.